7 Steps to Your Perfect Bed

Every week, we're asking designer Scot Meacham Wood, formerly of Ralph Lauren and now owner of his eponymous design firm, a question from our readers. This week's topic is all about decorating and styling your bed. Have a decorating dilemma? Comment below and yours might be featured in a future installment.

A: Blithe, your question truly resonates with me, because as I see it, there is very little in one's home that is as personal as the bedding and the environment where one sleeps. We all need a certain amount of quality slumber each evening — and we should all be directly engaged in designing the details of how and where that sleep takes place.

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Let's put together a short list of ideas you can use to make your bed something personal for just you:

1. The Bedding

There are an amazing number of variables at play here, such as fiber, weave, and thread count. Fiber-wise, I'm going to have to recommend 100% cotton bedding, though linen and silk are also options. With cotton you can always upgrade to Pima cotton or go full on and use Egyptian cotton. For weave, there's percale, a plain-weave textile, or sateen, a satin-weave textile which has a shinier, more luxurious feel to it. Personally, I'm a percale kind of guy (it always feel a bit beefier to me), but take a look at both for yourself. When we get into the world of thread count, you're best served by a higher number. Thus, a 300 thread-count sheet will be softer than a 200 thread-count sheet.

2. The Monogram

This is clearly one of the easiest paths to personalization. Your personal monogram — as well as the font, thread color, and the style you choose — can say a great deal about you. I tend to lean toward solid white or ecru bedding with classic monograms in navy for my own bedding.

3. Color and Pattern

Though I tend to use solid bedding, I also love to layer some pattern on my bed with a few (and for me, yes, just a few) decorative pillows and even a throw blanket. The patterned pillows are only on my bed during the day, but I'll often keep the solid cashmere throw for some of our cooler summer nights in San Francisco — or most every night during the winter. Adding these few pieces can give your bed a very specific style.

4. The Right Pillow

Keep in mind that pillows are available in practically every firmness known to science, so experiment a bit. Ask questions at the store. You know how you sleep (either on your side, or on your back, etc.), so let the staff help find the right pillow for you. This is also true for duvets as well. Don't just buy the first one you find — or the one that's on sale — invest some of your time, money, and energy into finding the perfect pillow and duvet.

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5. Think Outside the Bed

There's always going to be more than just the bedding to make your room stylish — and lull you into slumber. Have a quick look over at your nightstand and remember that this is likely to be the first thing you'll see in the morning. Some flowers would be nice, or a memento from a recent vacation. And a little carafe or bottle of water would solve the need to get out of bed in the middle of the night.

6. The Tech Check

According to most every study that I've read, keeping personal computers, office work, and phones in the bedroom can often spell the end of a good night's sleep. All that buzzing and humming and flashing can completely ruin those sweet dreams you're looking for! Even though I use my own phone as my alarm clock, I also make sure that I never use it check email in the middle of the night. Set some boundaries for yourself and keep that electronic glare out of your dreams!

7. Make Your Bed

Every morning. Yes, I know I sound like your mother.

This charming bedroom from Tobi Tobin has always been a favorite of mine — classic white monogramed bedding in a room wrapped in that marvelous damask wallpaper. And I love the idea of waking up to the beautiful verdant view out the windows!

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